Catch It or Regret It

It's now or never

by Rachel Frankford

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Published: Oct 18, 2006

In 1994, the Nazi labor camp Mittelbau-Dora -- the construction site of the first intercontinental ballistic missiles -- was reopened after 50 years. Photographer Alvin Gilens documents the remains of what was once the world's largest underground factory. Rusting equipment lies partially underwater in the tunnels where 60,000 slaves once worked, and trees push through the concrete floors of their barracks. Testimony of former prisoners accompanies the images.

For the 12th annual exchange, the WTC assembled four lathe artists, a furniture maker, a photojournalist and a scholar. Their individual and collaborative projects range from the elegantly functional (a series of elliptical vases) to the oddball and irreverent. For example, an oblong, spotted little thing with bristles is titled "fetish object." Give 'em a grant, and they go and start a religion.

When aren't musicals about Chicago mayhem and romance fun? Windy City started its life as a Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur play called The Front Page, and has been made into a movie three times. A reporter is torn between his career and his fiancee (in this business, we all are). A new life with his girl in Hollywood beckons, but so do the calls of hookers and hapless anarchists. Well, only one of each, but whatever. Songs and a hooker!

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